Geranium phaeum Album

The Geranium phaeum 'Album' is a charming form with pure white flowers of a very hardy botanical species also known as brown geranium, livid geranium or dark geranium. It grows in a clump of glossy leaves, of a beautiful light green, which will persist more or less in winter. Its numerous flowers are carried in loose clusters above the foliage, inclined downwards. This perennial geranium, which thrives in root competition, excels in shaded areas of the garden, illuminating it with its long flowering of immaculate white.

The perennial Geranium phaeum 'Album' belongs to the Geraniaceae family. It comes from the Geranium phaeum, native to a wide area stretching from the Pyrenees to the Balkans. In France, it can be found in the Jura, the Alps, the Pyrenees, the Auvergne mountains, as far as Aveyron, Allier and Indre. It is a plant of cold climates and soils with a tendency towards clay, slightly lime-rich, fertile and fresh. (Ref Tela-botanica).

This perennial herbaceous plant forms a dense clump of foliage more or less persistent in winter, reaching a height of 30 cm (12in) and a width of 45 cm (18in). The flowering takes place from May-June to July-August, carried at 60 cm (24in) above the ground. Each flower is relatively discreet, measuring only 2 cm (1in) in diameter, but they are produced abundantly. Their corolla is composed of round and dentate petals on the edge, surrounding a heart of yellow and prominent stamens and pistils. They are arranged in clusters along slender floral stems that stand out clearly from the foliage. The leaves are divided into 5 large lobes, sometimes spotted with brown on a tender green background.

The Geranium phaeum 'Album' does not exhibit a loud and spectacular flowering. On the other hand, the tufts scattered with white flakes do not go unnoticed in the undergrowth. This plant is ideal for the second row of shaded flower beds. It is interesting for its foliage that fills shaded corners well, even in winter if it is mild. Under large trees, it is a good companion for acid green euphorbias and pastel-toned lungworts. Plant it along a path to the north or east, among ferns and bergenia, in front of hydrangeas, rhododendrons, camellias. It will blend very well with all shade and semi-shade perennials such as fuchsias, hostas, periwinkles, hellebores, epimediums.